Taking a Roll Call

A mere 600 people attended the inauguration of Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika and Deputy-Governor Ketut Sudikerta held on Thursday, August 29, 2013, under a strict security lock-down at the Provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali).

The inauguration ceremony started 35 minutes later than schedule, resulting in the actual oath-taking place at 9:45 a.m. officiated over by the Minister of the Interior Gumawan Fauzi.

NusaBali reports that the outgoing Deputy-Governor and Gubernatorial aspirant AA Ngurah Puspayoga was notable by his unexplained absence from the ceremony.

Puspayoga lost the race for Bali’s governor’s race by a mere 996 votes, a vote so close that it had to be ratified by the Constitutional Court.

Sukrawan commented to the press while attending the inauguration: “I was invited in my capacity as the chairman of the Buleleng House of Representatives (DPRD-Buleleng), so I must attend.”

Sukrawan said he has adopted a sportive attitude regarding his defeat in the race for governor and deputy-governor, and has accepted the election’s final results.

In fact, Sukrawan broke the formal exchange of handshakes in the receiving line to warmly embrace both Pastika and Sudikerta.

Bali governor Pastika took the occasion to praise Dewa Sukrawan’s behavior as both a patriot and a political leader. “I really appreciate Dewa Sukrawan’s attendance. He came with dignity and bearing. He is a true leader. I salute him,” said the Governor.

During his comments at the inauguration ceremony, Interior Minister Gumawan Fauzi commended the progress achieved by Bali during the first five years of Governor Pastika’s leadership, including:

Increasing the Provincial Development Budget (APBD-Bali) from only Rp. 1.51 trillion (US$151 million) in 2008 to Rp. 4.19 trillion (US$419 million) in 2013.

The poverty rate in Bali stands at 3.95%, down from 6.17% at the start of Pastika’s first term. This has given Bali the second lowest level of poverty after Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta.

The Human Development Index for Bali (IMP) – an international statistical comparison of the quality of life, has increased from 70.98 in 2008 to 72.84 in 2011.

The Governor speaking at his inauguration said his dreams for Bali could only be achieved with the public’s support. “I ask for support from all parties. Let’s join hands to build Bali together. Forget about political differences and work together building Bali. A singe individual, Mangku Pastika, is insufficient for the job,” pled Pastika.

Pastika who is involved in an ongoing litigious relationship with The Bali Post, also called on the Press to support his administration's goals and mission during the coming five years.